Nordic Cooperation: Nordic textile reuse and recycling - Summary and recommendations

Every year 350,000 tonnes of textiles are consumed in the Nordic region, of which only 120,000 tonnes of used textiles are separately collected. This corresponds to about one third of all new textiles put on the market. The three projects The Nordic textile Every kilogram of textiles produced on average corresponds to the emission of 15 kilograms of carbon dioxide. In the current paradigm most textiles are used only for part of their functional lifetime and then sent to incineration and landfill with a wasate of high grade resources. A Nordic strategy for increased reuse and recycling of textiles as well as An extended producer responsibility (EPR) system and new business models to increase reuse and recycling of textiles in the Nordic region have all aimed for a joint vision for textiles. The vision includes multiple uses during the textile products' entire functional lifetime, whether at one or several owners. Further, it aims for legitimate collection for both reuse and, where Via sustainable management of textiles, the vision is to create a competitive advantage, green jobs and environmental benefits in the Nordic region. The three textile reuse and recycling projects are part of the Nordic Prime Ministers' initiative, The NordicRegion, leading in green growth.